Homelessness in England hits 5-year high
Official figures show homelessness in England has reached its highest level in five years.
Sat Jun 8, 2013 5:57PM GMT
The number of homeless households in England has reached its highest level in five years, official figures show.
According to the British government statistics released on Thursday, the number of people declared homeless across England has increased by 6 percent over the past year.
There were 53,540 homelessness acceptances in the financial year 2012-13, compared with 50,290 in 2011-12.
The figures also indicated a 14 percent rise in the number of people living in temporary bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation in the last year.
Some 4,500 households were in B&Bs on 31 March this year, compared to 3,960 in 2012.
The housing and homelessness charity Shelter warned that the rising cost of housing and cuts to the housing benefit are having a real impact on British families struggling to make ends meet.
“Behind these numbers are thousands of families up and down the country who have lost the battle to stay in their homes,” said Campbell Robb, Shelter chief executive.
SSM/HE
